The ICC Blog

Kelsea Mort

It has truly been a blessing to learn along with the Beginning Public Speakers here in Billings, Montana. During one of our songs, “Singing in the Rain”, one particular boy brought a bit of sunshine to my day. His smile was so big that he could hardly get the words to the song out around it. His eyes were wrinkled with laughter and he was so purely happy to sing and have fun with the rest of the group. What an amazing example! I want to be able to have that kind of joy to display to others while representing Christ. God was able to use this wonderful group of kids as a reminder that no matter what, God is always here and we always have reason to be joyful. Often times I can become so preoccupied with difficult situations (the motor home breaking down, or not having staff boxes in Idaho) that I tend to forget what a beautiful hope and promise we have in the gospel. I love these great little friends of mine, and I am so thankful for the encouraging and gentle reminder they were able to give me this week.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Josh Craddock

Here in Billings, Montana, the weather is cold and snowy. But the
students warmed right up to the idea of Public Forum debate! In fact,
everyone in this week’s public forum session improved dramatically
each time they got up to speak. At the end of the debate round, all of
the speakers had gained confidence in their own abilities and were
excited to share their favorite parts of the experience and the
challenges they had overcome.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Phillip Rosenberger

As of Wednesday, driving 14 hours to Idaho with four other interns to run a conference, we expected 8 Beginning Public Speaking students. When Friday rolled around, the numbers had slowly trickled in, topping off at 19. The plan was for me to run a single small group all day but with almost twenty students it was becoming slightly more difficult then expected. But thanks to God the rest of the team were able make the trip to Coeur d’Alene and Kelsea was able to join me in BPS after lunch. Overall, the students energetic and inspiring and the conference was amazing.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

An Extraordinary Road Trip
Kristen Au

This past week has most certainly been an extraordinary one. It was completely amazing and totally out of the norm. The excitement started on our second travel day to Idaho when we found out that the Jeep, which holds all of the team’s luggage, was malfunctioning. We attempted to fix it in Missouri and ended up having to take the drive shafts out and tow it from behind the motor home.

We expected no further challenges on the road, however we were quite mistaken in our expectations. The next day, the motor home began overheating to the point that we had to bring it into a truck mechanic and give up driving for the day. We stayed overnight in Rapid City, South Dakota and hoped to leave the next morning to continue our trip.

While waiting for the motor home to be repaired that evening, we visited Mount Rushmore and were able to engage in an fascinating conversation with a family at the hotel. By the next morning, we were ready to go and excited to get back on the road. Then, we found out that the repairs would take up to ten days. After a quick team meeting, we decided to send a team of five people ahead to Idaho. Within the hour, three of the interns, our tour manager, and one of the Moon boys were on the road to Idaho. They drove fourteen hours through the night (and snow and wind!), arriving at the Mort’s house around 7:30 AM the next day.

The rest of the team worked on schedules and plans for the Idaho conference, not knowing whether or not we’d make it there. As it turned out, we decided to rent two vans and made the identical fourteen hour trip to Idaho, leaving Mr. Moon in South Dakota with the motor home.

Today, the team is traveling to Montana for the Billings conference, in the Mort’s motor home which they very kindly lent us. Tomorrow, some of the team will go back to South Dakota and bring all of our luggage and staff boxes. The whole team is learning to trust God in new ways through these extraordinary times.

Skirmishing Out of South Dakota
Hannah Ketring

I can only describe this past week as epic. After breaking down in South Dakota for a few days, the team ended up at a mall for a few hours on Wednesday while we tried to figure out how we were going to get to the Idaho conference. This is where our adventures begin to get epic. We congregated in the mall food court for an emergency planning meeting. If any of you have ever participated in the Model United Nations Security Council Crisis Meeting simulation at a conference, it was fairly similar to that! After this hurried huddle, we decided that, in order to run to be able to run the conference on time, we were going to send five people on ahead. We hoped the motorhome would be repaired the next and the rest of the team would join us early Friday morning. It was determined that Robin, Phil, Justin, Devin, and I would drive overnight about 900 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. We affectionately titled ourselves the Fanatical Five Skirmish Team and prepared to leave as quickly as possible. The situation became increasingly crazy as the whole team got us ready to go by packing what we needed at the mechanical shop where the motorhome and Jeep were being repaired. Naturally, it was raining, as is usually the case in such legendary moments. We prayed around the car and were sent off with a song and Eric running behind the car filming everything.

We left around 7:00 PM and drove all night, alternating drivers and copilots to keep the drivers awake. Due to the large amount of energy drinks consumed, Subway sandwiches, and loud music, we were able to make it through the night. The rest of the team had also made a calling schedule so we received a phone call every half hour to make sure we were still awake! After driving through a bit of snow and three states, we finally arrived at the Mort’s house at about 7:30 AM. They had prepared an amazing breakfast for us and sent us to bed. Although we had a lot of fun driving together, I have never been so happy to arrive at a destination!

After getting about four hours of sleep, we ate lunch and headed to the church to set up the facility. Due to the lack of supplies we were able to fit the trunk of the car, set-up only took about an hour, so we were able to head back to the Mort’s to finish planning the conference. Overall, our adventures getting to Idaho have made the conference that much more meaningful as we have seen God uphold and strengthen us through everything. I am so glad we were able to get here in time and have a chance to meet and spend time with these amazing people.

Adventures in Idaho
Robin Scofield

As a part of the skirmish team, the other four and I showed up at the Mort’s house after driving for 14 hours through the night from South Dakota to Idaho. I never thought I would be so happy and thankful to arrive at their home! We were exhausted, and slept like rocks until it was time to set up the facility. Though we had ten less people then normal to set up and run the first part of the conference, Justin, Devin, Phillip, Hannah, and I pulled together to make it work.

Our registration, opening program, and classes and activities looked different, but we were thrilled to be there anyway. Though it was unusual, it was adventurous and exciting. After lunch on the first day, the rest of the team joined us and it was so exciting to see them all again even though we were only separated for less than 24 hours! Through all of this: deciding what to do, the drive, planning the conference, setting up, and teaching, God was faithful. We were able to see His hand at work in so many ways. In the end Idaho was awesome, a miracle, and a success.

Learning from Students
Timothy Hardy

My entire Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, conference experience was marked by one event that passed quietly and almost without notice until I thought back on it. I was walking the halls on my way to a staff meeting when I passed an open room filled with couches. On the various couches were some of the conference participants reading a Bible aloud. I asked if I was able to join them for a moment, so they invited me to sit down and asked what verses I would like to hear. After a moment’s thought, I recalled reading Psalm 84 a few weeks prior. The words of the Psalm reminded me to place my trust in the Lord, and with that encouragement I continued with the conference. I am so very glad that the Lord placed it on my heart to sit down with those particular students, and used them to encourage me.

Tags: CFC Conferences

Timothy Hardy

The program on October 2 went really well, with the crescendo of the northern rain coming at the perfect moments during the performance. What the audience didn’t know was that the team was working off 5-8 hours of sleep out of the last 48. Nine of us had arrived at 3 a.m. that morning after driving 900 miles from South Dakota. There is an entire back story concerning the difficulties we had getting to Idaho, but through each one there is also a story of how we were able to overcome each struggle by the Lord’s grace and strength. Only a day prior we weren’t even sure if we would be able to make it to the conference. And so the thoughts that ran through my head were thoughts of the Lord’s power and faithfulness. The fact that we were able to be there on that stage performing the Evening Program one more time was another fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to be faithful to us in our pursuit of His glory.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Dynamite in Alabama

Janie Little

Dynamic: positive in attitude and full of energy and new ideas.

The Montgomery conference was dynamic. Through the entirety of the conference, the students were innovative, willing, and enthusiastic.  It was fun to see some familiar faces and catch up with some friends I made at the speech and debate camps.

My favorite class is still the one on Theater of the Mind entitled “Don’t Make Yourself Dizzy!” Jessie McLean, who toured with CFC a few years ago, came and taught it with me and made it that much better.  I loved interacting with the students in this class.  Another of my favorite classes is the one I teach with Josh, called “I Think… Therefore You Can.” We got to teach it outside this time, which was so much fun!

Another fun occurrence at this dynamic conference was Mrs. Moon’s birthday! We interrupted the Evening Program to announce it.  In the middle of her introduction by Phil and Kelsea, the Agents (Hannah, Austin, and Eric) came on stage and said something to the effect that “Sunday is Mrs. Moon’s birthday, and after the Program there will be cake served in the Fellowship Hall.” I didn’t personally get to see her, but I hear that the look on Mrs. Moon’s face was priceless.

Another reason I especially liked this conference was that I got to see my mom and sister! Since it was only a few hours away from where we live, they got to come and visit.  It’s been about two months since I was home, so it was really nice to see them again.

So in conclusion, Montgomery was positive in attitude and full of energy and new ideas…Dynamic.

Montgomery Musings

KatieAnne Pitchford

Whoooooooo! I love Alabama. It rained…a lot. But that’s not the ONLY reason why I think it’s fantastical. The conference in Montgomery was inspiring for so many reasons. The coaches wanted to start Chapters and became so excited to take what they learned and apply it back home. Also, the students were so eager and enthusiastic about giving their all to the activities and classes.

One of my favorite memories for the debate conference was the GECCO activity where I play the part of a “Greenie.” The students were a little apprehensive about these crazy nature-loving characters but by the end of the second day every state was so pumped about doing the fun challenges we pass out such as “Sing a song with the Greenies” or “Learn how to juggle with an intern.” It was  amazing.

Not only was the debate conference fantastic but the speech conference was awesome too! My favorite part of the conference is watching all of the group interpretations. They are always so creative and funny! …especially when the group spoofs one of the interns. I’m always thrilled to laugh and giggle with the story the students will come up with.

Overall, Alabama was awesome, from the students, to the parents, to the amazing history in the city. I had a phenomenal time and seeing the smiles on the faces of the participants as we left encouraged me that everyone else had a memorable week too.

Media in Montgomery

Eric Kays

Hey guys! I’m writing in from Some Place in Missouri. I want to tell you all about the second time we have run the media track this tour! This time, in Montgomery, we had six students in the track. We went through the classes the first day, and began the group presentation during the fourth class. This class, which we call “Production: Start to Finish” is a basic course on what it takes to produce a video. After running through the outline, we began preparing for the presentation during this time block. This allowed us to have more time to work with the students.

We were able to work with the students for an extra 30 minutes which enabled them to have extra time to take photos and edit the video. After we took a break for the students to register for the tournament, we told them to begin the photo shoot. The next day they began editing the pictures (And video!) together to finish the slideshow. During the presentation, we had them speak a little bit about who they were and what their role was in the slideshow. This helped them connect with the audience and practice their communication skills. Our goal is to get students to communicate a message, through video and audio, as well as oral communication.

I was thrilled the media track ran so smoothly at this conference.  Email me at Eakays@gmail.com to get more information on the new media track!

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Janie Little

The Apprentices at the Montgomery conference were awesome. Whenever something needed to be done, they were right there, ready to serve with a smile on their faces. For the first two days, Kali was the only one there, but she still got everything accomplished that needed to be done. Seth came for the second two days and, along with Kali, was a huge help during Beginning Public Speaking and the Evening Program. I loved watching their interpretation of “The Ugly Duckling!” It was hilarious and well put together. Thanks so much, Kali and Seth for all you did!

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Timothy Hardy

I was really happy with the conversation I was able to have with my host family after the team performed the Lead the Escape Evening Program at the last conference in Montgomery, AL. The mom and dad were very impressed by the way the team portrayed the theme of Lead The Escape. The dad wished that he had known more about the program before and had been able to invite more people to see the program. After performing the program so many times, I sometimes forget how much impact it can really have. The words of the family were such an encouragement, as well as a reminder that what we are doing has the potential to reach out to everyone we come into contact with. We must each remember to take every opportunity we have in our own lives to speak or take action as if it is completely new and exciting. When we do this, we will begin to see that our Hope does not disappoint and the Lord’s glory will be seen through our actions.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Josh Craddock

The students at the Montgomery conference had a natural aptitude toward Public Forum. They were able to take the resolution, brainstorm arguments quickly, and debate in a manner that made it seem as if they had been speaking for quite some time. This was clearly an intelligent group that was able to easily apply their speaking and critical thinking skills to this new debate framework.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates

Phillip Rosenberger

Beginning Public Speaking in Alabama was quite the adventure. We had almost 50 students under the age of 12 filled to the brim with energy. The day ran smoothly, the students learned quickly, and the excitement level only elevated as time passed.

After the BPS closing program, the parents were all invited to the Christian Educators Reception. While the adults talk about serious stuff, we got to hang out with the kids and have fun together. We played fun games like Shipwreck and Revolutionary War, as well as Big Bart the Villain, an exercise designed to teach interpretation through character development and story telling. At the end of the day, we said good bye to not only a group of students, but also young friends. I’m excited to continue teaching such amazing groups of kids as I continue to remember what it means to have simple, straightforward fun.

Tags: Mid-Conference Updates